Winnipeg Selected to Host 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

At an announcement in Ottawa Friday, Winnipeg was on the shortlist with Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton for the international soccer competition.

Twenty-four international teams will compete in 52 matches over a 23-day period in June 2015. Each selected city will host four teams, with the future Investors Group Field at the University of Manitoba hosting the games locally.

“Soccer is very popular in Winnipeg and the high calibre of World Cup play will be an inspiration to the more than 9,000 young league players in our city,” Mayor Sam Katz said shortly after the announcement.

More than one million spectators are expected to attend the event nationwide, which is held every four years.